Branch Office or Liaison Office Registration in Bangladesh | FMCI

Entity/Business Incorporation/Registration in Bangladesh is a procedure by which a business is established in Bangladesh. Before finding out as to how to register or incorporate a business in Bangladesh it note worthy to consider Bangladesh as one of the most preferred destinations for Foreign Direct Investment and to good choice for registering a business, which results in high numbers of entity/businesses being incorporated or registered in Bangladesh. The Government of the Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh has established several organizations such as Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to assist the foreign investors in registering an entity in Bangladesh and smoothly run its businesses. Similarly, while following the provisions of the Companies Act 1994, these institutions have several laws and regulations which must be abided by.

In recent times, it has transpired that alot of business registration in Bangladesh are being made by a foreign company or investors who are willing to incorporate entity in Bangladesh due to the government's beneficial provisions towards foreign investors.

Bangladesh offers one of the most liberal foreign direct investment climates in South East Asia due to which registering a foreign business in Bangladesh has become widely common. The Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act 1980 ensures the equal treatment for local and foreign direct investors for business registration in Bangladesh as well as to conduct almost any business. In terms of costs, inputs, human resources, market access, facilitation, etc Bangladesh offers a competitive location for doing business. Foreign Direct Investment in Bangladesh is an appropriate sector which would potential yield higher returns than most other competing locations, with lesser risks. Concerned authorities in Bangladesh make all possible efforts to reduce the costs of doing business in Bangladesh and minimize risks and uncertainties.

In order to understand the procedure as to how to incorporate/register an entity/business in Bangladesh one must give due adherence in regards to the several modes or structure by which an investor can incorporate entity in Bangladesh. The particular mode of entity incorporation in Bangladesh depends on the need of the clients and the type of business the client is engaged in. FM Consulting International is one of the prominent service providers in Bangladesh with regards to incorporation with RJSC (Company House) and also Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. Along with our legal division, which is a leading law firm in Bangladesh, namely, FM Associates, we do provide 360-degree end to end professional services.

Therefore, followings are the mode and types of entity/business formation/incorporation in Bangladesh by which one can initiate a proper course of business.

Most of the companies are running their businesses through an incorporation of a private limited liability compan in Bangladesh.  A private limited company is a separate legal entity where shareholders are only liable for the debts of the company upto the share capital they have contributed.

In our country, incorporation of a public limited company in Bangladesh has to have a minimum of 7 upto unlimited shareholders/Directors limited by shares. Public limited companies can offer public shares if listed by any stock exchanges. Public limited companies can declare dividends too.

In Bangladesh, a number of foreign entrepreneurs can setting up a joint venture company in Bangladesh via collaborating with at least one or more Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. At this moment, The Register of Joint Stock Companies & Firms (RJSC) is the only authority to register Joint Venture Company in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, a foreign entity/company can engage in  commercial activities by opening a Branch office with prior permission to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). A branch office is generally bound by the rules set up by BIDA regarding where its business is confined, needs renewal of branch office licenses  for the time period mentioned and approved by BIDA etc.